It all started when Urmila Matondkar in an interview questioned Kangana Ranaut’s motives and accusations against the alleged Bollywood ‘drug- mafia’. Reacting to it, Kangana said that Urmila is “making a mockery” of her struggles, and called her a soft porn star in a TV interview. Ever since, the ‘Rangeela’ actress is receiving acknowledgement and support from the film industry.
Swara Bhasker took to Twitter to post words of appreciation for urmila. “Dear @urmilaMatondkar ji, remembering ur outstanding performances in Masoom, Chamatkaar, Rangeela, Judaai, Daud, Satya, Bhoot, Kaun, Jungle, Pyaar Tuney Kya Kiya, Tehzeeb, Pinjar, Ek Hasina Thi among others and have marvelled at your acting chops & brilliant dancing! Love u,” wrote Swara.
Ram Gopal Varma, who had a series of hits with urmila, tweeted: “Not wanting to get into slanging matches with anyone, I believe that Urmila Matondkar has more than proved her versatile talent in enacting such diversely complex roles as in Rangeela, Satya, Kaun, Bhoot, Ek Haseena Thi etc.”
Anubhav Sinha posted: “Just felt like saying this to one of the most beautiful, elegant, evocative, expressive actresses ever. Sending you love Urmila Matondkar.”
Pooja Bhatt also extended support to Urmila, tweeting: “Urmila Matondkar, you are a legend. #Rangeela was a treat visually,emotionally and you raised the bar for all of us in so many ways. You left us all, co-actors and an entire generation of movie goers awestruck! Sensuality & dignity.. two qualities you combined & embodied. Respect!”
Activist Harish Iyer also called out Kangana for her remarks. “She is not a soft porn star, but what if she was also. What’s so wrong in that. I’d rather be a soft porn star than a foul-mouthed dis- respectful narcissist. The journeys are complex. The journey to the top is ridden with challenges. There are people who pull you down. But there are also people who believe in you and your craft. No one comes up only because of themselves. One ought to be grateful to those who contributed to success,” he wrote.
However, Kangana tried to defend her soft porn star barb at Urmila on Thursday with this tweet: “Liberal brigade once virtually lynched a renowned writer into silence for saying people like Sunny Leone should not be our role models, Sunny is accepted by the industry and entire India as an artist, suddenly fake feminists equating being a porn star to something.”